I would like to express my thanks to the dedicated staff of the many record offices and libraries visited in the course of undertaking this research. I value highly the knowledgeable advice and assistance willingly offered by the experts.

The following people and places should be mentioned especially and, where they have kindly given permission for reproduction of material, I have included the details, together with the relevant page numbers:

Without the help given by all concerned, such investigations as this would not be possible.

I am very grateful, also, to Tina King and Julia Godsill for proof-reading the text. I much appreciate their thoughts and encouragement. I hope the reader will excuse any errors that may not have been found. Despite trying to be as accurate as possible, checking and rechecking repeatedly, slips are, no doubt, lying undetected.

Additionally, I have become aware that my exploration into this family history can never be complete. Everyday I find more detail and information to add. Nevertheless, I think it is important that the facts uncovered so far should be recorded without delaying further. They are of interest and, if not reported and made available for all to see, the discoveries might remain concealed and perhaps even be sadly lost forever.

Read on and enjoy!